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Immediately after a storm has passed, the nurse is working with a rescue team that is searching for injured people. The nurse finds a victim lying next to a broken natural gas main. The victim is not breathing and is bleeding heavily from a wound on the foot. What should be the nurse's first intervention?

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Final answer:

The nurse's first intervention should be to ensure their own safety by moving the victim away from the broken natural gas main. Then, the nurse should initiate CPR to restore the victim's breathing. Applying direct pressure to the bleeding wound on the foot is also important to control the bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's first intervention should be to ensure their own safety. Since the victim is lying next to a broken natural gas main, there is a risk of explosion or fire. The nurse should move the victim to a safe location away from the gas leak before providing any medical assistance.

Once the victim is in a safe location, the nurse should assess their airway, breathing, and circulation. Since the victim is not breathing, the nurse should initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. This involves performing chest compressions and rescue breaths to restore oxygen to the victim's body.

The nurse should also apply direct pressure to the bleeding wound on the foot to control the bleeding. This can be done by using a clean cloth or dressing and maintaining pressure until further medical help arrives.

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